JOHNSTOWN – Voters in the Johnstown-Monroe School District narrowly defeated a property tax renewal in Tuesday's primary election, likely setting the stage for a crucial vote in November.

A 1 percent annual income tax renewal did pass, providing the growing district $3 million annually for five years for current operating expenses. The income tax, originally approved in 2003, passed by a 52 percent to 48 percent margin, according to unofficial results.

The property tax was a 6.9 mill levy for five years for emergency requirements. It would provide $2.2 million per year. The levy, originally approved in 2008, fell 13 votes short in an election with 24 percent voter turnout.

Johnstown-Monroe Schools Superintendent Dale Dickson said last year's property tax reappraisal, the uncertainty of election-year politics, and low voter turnout may have combined to defeat the renewal.

"With two issues it's always interesting to see how voters will respond," Dickson said. "We had no big campaign. We put it out there for people to consider. We have a very supportive community. I feel people will come back and pass this. We really depend on these two issues."

The school board will meet Monday night, when it will likely discuss putting the levy on the November general election ballot, Dickson said.

"There's no crisis," Dickson said. "It won't affect us until 2019. There are no plans for immediate cuts."

The student population was pretty stable, Dickson said, until last year.

"We're seeing more building permits," Dickson said. "We stopped open enrollment in K-8, and that slowed down the growth. We're just crowded.

"If some of these developments hit, we're going to see some substantial growth, so we need to be prepared for that."

It's been a busy school year for the district. A new Johnstown Elementary School opened in August and a new Johnstown High School opened in January. The old high school will be renovated into a middle school, with completion expected by the beginning of the 2018-19 school year.